United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Maryland Go to Accessibility Information
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Initial Questionnaire

You could potentially be eligible to participate in the new Conservation Security Program (CSP) if you can answer “yes” to the following questions that apply to your farm.

  1. Do you have cropland, hayland, pastureland, vineyards and/or orchards that are located within a watershed announced by the Secretary of Agriculture to be eligible for CSP sign-ups in 2008?
  2. Do you share in the risk of producing the crop or livestock on this land, and have control of some or all of the land you intend to enroll for at least 5 years?
    NOTE: Landlords who receive only cash payments for renting the land are not currently eligible to apply for CSP on that acreage. The operator (renter) of that land may apply however, but only if he/she has control of the land for the life of the CSP contract (5-10 years).
  3. Are your cropland and pasture fields free from active gullies?

  4. Do you have a nutrient management plan, and do you keep written records of your nutrient management activities for each field, such as yields, soil tests, and nutrients applied (including animal waste)?

  5. Do you keep written records or documentation of your pesticide application and pest control methods for each field?

  6. Do you use and follow a grazing plan, allowing for periods of complete rest during the growing season, and feed hay or grain or other forage replacements before pastures get short or when not growing?

  7. Do livestock have limited or no access to steams and ponds?

If you have answered yes to all of these questions for all or part of your operation, you may wish to consider attending the CSP information meetings to find out what opportunities you may have in CSP.

Farm records showing conservation practices, cropping rotations, pesticides used, nutrient application rates etc. will be required as part of the application process.

NOTE: Portions of your farm or operation currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program or Grassland Reserve Program are not eligible acres for the CSP program.